The Gum Method

By Pari Patel

Editor: Breanna Naysmith

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It has been scientifically proven that chewing gum of a certain flavor while studying, then chewing the same flavor of gum while taking the test will improve your alertness and help you remember more of what you studied. This flavor of gum cannot be the same flavor you chew during other activities. While this is true, this method won’t work on everyone, or won’t be as effective on some. I wanted to see if it was effective for myself as well as for a friend.

We both have a class together in which we had an upcoming test that we were not prepared for. We decided to try this method. I used cinnamon-flavored gum while they used polar ice flavored gum. They always chew polar ice as their choice of gum. We chewed our respective gum flavors when studying and reviewing the night before, the morning of, as well as right before taking the test. While taking the test, we both chewed our gum. But, our results were drastically different. While I was remembering more on the topic and had more focus during the test, my friend’s experience was completely different. The gum method had failed them. They didn’t remember more or become more focused. My score on this test was 93% while theirs was 56%. This shows me that the gum method does in fact work, but only if it is a new flavor and not one you always chew.